News Release
Investigation into Man’s Broken Ribs During Arrest in London Completed
Case Number: 23-OCI-063
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe a London Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the serious injury suffered by a 39-year-old man during his arrest. On March 1, 2023, officers were called to the London Public Library on Dundas Street about the man who reportedly assaulted another man. Officers told the man he was under arrest, and he refused to be handcuffed. The officer struck the man with a series of knee strikes and punches and a takedown to the ground before he was handcuffed. As a result, the man suffered fractured ribs.
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision):
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (police officers as well as special constables with the Niagara Parks Commission and peace officers with the Legislative Protective Service) that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person. All investigations are conducted by SIU investigators who are civilians. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, the Director of the SIU must
- consider whether the official has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation
- depending on the evidence, cause a criminal charge to be laid against the official where grounds exist for doing so, or close the file without any charges being laid
- publicly report the results of its investigations
Lisez ce communiqué en français.
Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES